Council to discuss reworked Boddingtons plans
Manchester City Council is set to consider a revised development framework for the 7-acre former Boddingtons Brewery site north of the city centre, with an emphasis on residential development to create “a critical mass of activity”.
The site is owned by Realty Estates.
A joint venture between Ask Developments and Realty acquired the site in 2006. In 2007 plans were revealed for a £250m redevelopment, pictured above, but no activity was brought forward. Ask Developments exited the joint venture in 2012.
The site is currently used as an 850-space car park. The development of a 200-bedroom Travelodge Hotel by Worthington Properties on part of the land was completed in 2010.
Previous plans focused on an office, leisure and retail development, with some residential units. However, according to a report ahead of Manchester City Council’s executive meeting on Wednesday 3 June, any future activity on the site will now include 50% residential accommodation.
The report described the plot as feeling “remote” despite a proximity to the Green Quarter and Noma. It said: “It is evident therefore that a new place will have to be created to bring investment forward and this requires an initial critical mass of activity as part of a substantial first phase in order to create confidence and help to establish it as a destination.”
The focus will be on a “large early phase of residential development, with extensive public realm and commercial accommodation on the lower floors aimed at start-up businesses”.
Commercial premises fronting New Bridge Street could be included within the plans, alongside the construction of an additional hotel.
